ABSTRACT
We present results from the direct search for dark matter with the XENON100 detector, installed underground at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso of INFN, Italy. XENON100 is a two-phase time-projection chamber with a 62 kg liquid xenon target. Interaction vertex reconstruction in three dimensions with millimeter precision allows the selection of only the innermost 48 kg as the ultralow background fiducial target. In 100.9 live days of data, acquired between January and June 2010, no evidence for dark matter is found. Three candidate events were observed in the signal region with an expected background of (1.8 ± 0.6) events. This leads to the most stringent limit on dark matter interactions today, excluding spin-independent elastic weakly interacting massive particle (WIMP) nucleon scattering cross sections above 7.0 × 10(-45) cm(2) for a WIMP mass of 50 GeV/c(2) at 90% confidence level.
ABSTRACT
Background estimations in neutrinoless double beta decay experiments (0nubetabeta) require reliable statistical limits on gamma-spectrometric low-level material screening measurements. For this purpose a custom method based on Bayesian statistics with reference to the international standard ISO 11929-7 is presented. The analysis combines the data from sample- and background spectra and comprises the physical knowledge of non-negative counting rates. It allows to incorporate multiple gamma lines of radionuclides. The confidence intervals pass continuously from two-sided intervals into single-sided upper limits.
Subject(s)
Bayes Theorem , Spectrometry, Gamma/methods , Internationality , Radioisotopes/analysis , Reference StandardsABSTRACT
We present an investigation of the (222)Rn concentration in argon with ultra-low background proportional counters. Argon purification tests by means of cryo-adsorption of radon on activated carbon were performed. For gaseous argon the purification process was found to be very efficient. Also in liquid phase the (222)Rn concentration could be reduced significantly, however, the efficiency is lower than in the gas phase. We also have analyzed the initial (222)Rn concentrations in commercial liquid argon. It was found to be significantly higher than in liquid nitrogen.
Subject(s)
Argon/isolation & purification , Radon/analysis , Adsorption , Argon/analysis , CharcoalABSTRACT
The presented radon detection technique employs miniaturized ultra-low background proportional counters. (222)Rn samples are purified, mixed with a counting gas and filled into a counter using a special glass vacuum line. The absolute sensitivity of the system is estimated to be 40 microBq (20 (222)Rn atoms). For emanation investigations two metal sealed stainless steel vessels and several glass vials are available. Taking into account their blank contributions, measurements at a minimum detectable activity of about 100 microBq can be performed.
Subject(s)
Radiation Monitoring/methods , Radon/analysis , Gases , Glass , Stainless SteelABSTRACT
In present and future experiments in the field of rare events physics a background index of 10(-3) counts/(keV kg a) or better in the region of interest is envisaged. A thorough material screening is mandatory in order to achieve this goal. The results of a systematic study of radioactive trace impurities in selected materials using ultra low-level gamma-ray spectrometry in the framework of the GERDA experiment are reported.
ABSTRACT
An optimisation of the geometrical model of a p-type detector used for material screening was carried out to improve the accuracy of Monte Carlo simulations in reproducing spectrometric measurements. Gamma-ray sources were measured to determine the dimensions of the detector dead layer and borehole. An agreement between simulations and measurement within 3% was achieved at energies above 100 keV. In contrast, discrepancies on the order of 23% were encountered using the nominal parameters from the detector manufacturer.
ABSTRACT
Among other radionuclides, 39Ar and 85Kr are potential background sources in the solar neutrino detector BOREXINO. The expected low event rate requires that the nitrogen used in the experiment needs to have lower concentrations than 0.5 microBq/m3 for 39Ar and 0.2 microBq/m3 for 85Kr, corresponding to volume concentrations in N2 of 0.4 x 10(-6)m3/m3 for Ar and 0.2 x 10(-12)m3/m3 for Kr. Applying gas mass spectrometry and special care in the sampling technique we succeeded in finding the required purity. In addition, we studied the possibility to purify nitrogen from Kr by the adsorption method.
ABSTRACT
Low background miniaturized proportional counters as developed for the GALLEX solar neutrino experiment can be applied to the detection of radioactive noble gas nuclides at very low activities. We have developed an apparatus that allows the activity of trace amounts of isotopes of the four noble gases Ar, Kr, Xe and Rn to be measured. The technique includes contamination-free chromatographic purification of raw gas samples and subsequent low-level counting. Minimum detectable activities of 100 microBq and below have been attained. The developed techniques can be used to determine the 222Rn and 85Kr concentration in nitrogen for the solar neutrino experiment BOREXINO. By applying efficient techniques to concentrate noble gases from nitrogen, minimum detectable activity concentrations below 1 microBq/m3 of nitrogen (STP) have been reached for both nuclides.
